South Bay Art Association

Bellport, New York – Est. 1956

This past Wednesday, May 25th, 2022, South Bay Art Association members, friends and family met at the Cheese Patch on Main Street in Patchogue, NY to celebrate the solo exhibition of black and white photographer (and SBAA Member), Rebecca Jonas.

Who is Rebecca Jonas?

Rebecca Jonas @ The Cheese Patch on 5/25/2022

Rebecca Jonas is an award-winning photographer who has been published as a featured artist in fine art and photography magazines worldwide, including NOIR, Aesthetica, Fine Eye Magazine, and International Photography Black & White. She is a fifteen-time recipient of the “Masterpiece Certificate of Achievement” from the International Photography Black and White Group.

“I’ve always been fascinated by the deep emotions evoked by black and white photography. As Jack Antonoff noted, “Black and white creates a strange dreamscape that color never can.” In the absence of color, the raw and emotional aspects of a photo are exposed.

Rebecca started her journey as a photographer focusing on the juxtaposition of various subjects – finding beauty in the broken, the remarkable within the ordinary. She most enjoys capturing what would typically be considered “every day images,” in a way that conveys emotion and reveals a story untold. In her work, she integrates creative composition and artistry to create a thought-provoking narrative within her photographs.

South Bay’s First In Person Solo Reception

Wednesday evening was South Bay’s first solo reception back IN PERSON since Covid. It was great to see members converse along with Rebecca’s family and friends. Even patron’s of the Cheese Patch stopped to ask Rebecca questions about her work.

The evening was an incredible success! Our Exhibition’s Committee, headed up by Casey Greene, really pulled out all the stops and did such a great job in curating this event! We can’t wait to see what else they have in store!

As always, thank you to the Cheese Patch for being one of our satellite galleries and supporting the local arts! We could not have done it without Paige, and her amazing wine and the incredible cheese platter that kept us all happy!

Want to See the Work in Person?

You should! Cause it is stunning!

Rebecca’s work will be on display until June 30th, 2022, so get off your couch to The Cheese Patch

The Cheese Patch

20 E Main Street, Patchogue, New York 11772

Want to Learn More About Rebecca’s Work?

Check out her website : https://www.rebeccajonasphotography.com/

Loretta O

Long Island, NY born and based artist, Loretta Oberheim, has utilized art to express her emotions throughout her life. Her passion began at a young age and grew when she met an incredible mentor her Junior year of high school at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. She followed her love of creativity and attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, where she graduated with a B.F.A. in Textile/Surface design in 2006. She began working in the high-end floorcovering sector of the interior design industry upon graduation. Some of Loretta’s designs graced the pages of such prominent publications as Vogue, House Beautiful, Architectural Digest, Interior Design, and LUXE. Then in August of 2013, a life altering event occurred, which left Loretta with permanent brain damage to her frontal and temporal lobes, along with other permanent neurological challenges. That split-second moment took art out of her life. Unfortunately to her dismay, nothing that was manifesting in her mind would translate onto the canvas or paper. All the love, the appreciation, the years of training; her hand was gone. Finally, in December 2018, after multiple personal losses and forced changes, Loretta drove herself back into art. In a moment of deep loss, but of necessary acceptance, she created the painting “11:04”. Behind the layers of oil paint are doctors’ notes, tests, accident reports, letters, photos, disability forms, and illusions of grandeur. In the process of this creation, of letting go, her ability to create returned, but in a new form she had never explored before. This creation of contemporary abstract expressionism, that was a far cry from her traditional textile with gouache training from college. Loretta’s pieces have been on exhibit in galleries in NYC and Long Island. Loretta has also been featured on TLC’s hit show “Unpolished” for her creative, one of a kind “Heart” sculptures. She has created custom commissions for private residences and businesses across the country. Yet out of it all, one thing especially important to her is working as a Traumatic Brain Injury Advocate to help those understand some disabilities are unable to be seen.